 |
NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
12:06 (GMT+8)
|
|
|
Subject: Bits + chips > Solar |
Solar cell maker E-Ton reportedly lands 100MWp order from Italy PV module maker Dec 1, 15:15 E-Ton Solar Tech, a Taiwan-based maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, is expected to sign with a photovoltaic (PV) module producer in Italy for a 4-year contract to supply solar cells totaling 100MWp, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
Equipment supplier Spirox sets up 5KW pilot HCPV system in Taiwan Nov 28, 16:18 Spirox Corporation, a Taiwan-based provider of semiconductor equipment and solution service, on November 27 held the opening ceremony for a 5KW (kilowatt) pilot high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) system installed on the campus of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) located in southern Taiwan, according to the company. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
Some solar cell makers seeking to renegotiate contract prices for silicon wafers Nov 28, 15:19 In light of prices of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cells having dropped from US$2.8-3.0/watt in early November 2008 to US$2.6-2.7/watt currently, and with further drops expected, some Taiwan-based makers of solar cells plan to ask their contract suppliers of solar-grade poly-Si wafers to lower contract prices to about US$7.5 per 6-inch wafer, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan market: Delta Electronics wins second big PV project Nov 28, 12:17 Delta Electronics, a Taiwan-based maker of power supplies, on November 27 won an open bid held by state-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) to set up a photovoltaic (PV) power-generating system with an annual capacity of 1.5MWp (megawatt-peak), according to industry sources in Taiwan. This is Delta Electronics' second PV project in the Taiwan market, following the first one to establish a 1MWp PV power-generating system on the roof of a stadium located in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan, the sources pointed out. Read more |
|
|
Sun Materials starts construction on Taiwan's first solar-grade poly-Si plant Nov 27, 16:56 Taiwan-based Sun Materials Technology on November 26 held a groundbreaking ceremony for constructing the country's first solar-grade polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) plant at the Letzer Industrial Park in northeastern Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Fire breaks out at TPT PV module plant in Pingchen, no damage reported Nov 27, 16:26 A fire broke out at Taiwan PCB Techvest's (TPT's) Pingchen plant in Taiwan during the morning of November 26. The fire was controlled immediately and resulted in no injuries to personnel or damage to production equipment, said the company. Read more |
|
|
Wafer supplier SAS likely to benefit from Panasonic's plan to strengthen Sanyo PV operations Nov 25, 10:35 Panasonic's plan to strengthen Sanyo Electric's solar energy business after acquiring the company is expected to bring more orders for solar-grade crystalline silicon wafers for Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS), which is currently the only supplier in Taiwan of such products for Sanyo, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
China solar cell maker Suntech braces for 0% gross margin in 4Q08 Nov 24, 11:33 Suntech Power Holdings, a China-based maker of polycrystalline silicon solar cells and the world's largest provider of photovoltaic (PV) modules, forecasts its gross margin to drastically drop from 21.6% in the third quarter of 2008 to 0% or slightly higher for this quarter, according to the company's third-quarter 2008 financial report released on November 20. Read more |
|
|
Sun Well Solar becomes first TUV certification recipient among Taiwan a-Si thin-film PV module makers Nov 20, 01:25 Taiwan-based maker of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules Sun Well Solar on November 19 obtained an IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61646 performance certification and an IEC 61730 safety certification from Germany-based TUV Rheinland, the first among all Taiwan-based solar makers, according to Sun Well. Read more |
|
|
Solar panel overcapacity expected in 2009, says The Information Network Nov 19, 01:10 While solar energy panel sales have and will continue to grow at a rate of about 40% per year, market research firm The Information Network indicated that several key growth drivers, including high oil prices, a polysilicon shortage and government subsidies, are expected to have less of an effect on the market in 2009. Considering that the costs of solar are not yet able to compete with traditional sources of energy, overcapacity in the market is expected in the short-term. Read more |
|
|
UMG solar-grade silicon has potential, but stable quality and supply not there stable yet, say Taiwan makers Nov 18, 01:10 Solar-grade polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) produced by using an upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) process has been shown to have the potential of being used to make solar-grade poly-Si ingots/wafers, but quality and supply volume are not stable yet, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan solar industry has upper hand in the meantime, but China has better long-term potential Nov 14, 17:00 The solar power industry in Taiwan may be doing better than that in China in terms of technology, management and product quality for the time being, but may eventually lose the lead because makers in China have the advantages of self-controlled supply of materials and government support, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Applied Materials expects overall equipment spending to drop in 2009, but upbeat about PV market Nov 14, 10:23 Applied Materials has posted results for its fiscal year 2008 and fourth quarter ended October 2008, with announcements of workforce cut and cost-reduction strategies for the next fiscal year. Company CEO Mike Splinter estimates that equipment spending will drop in the semiconductor and display sectors, but he remains optimistic about the solar-energy market. Read more |
|
|
Photovoltaic market to shift in buyers' favor in 2009, says iSuppli Nov 13, 12:50 Pricing for polysilicon used to create photovoltaic (PV) cells is expected to drop in 2009 and the following years due to fundamental imbalances in the solar supply chain, according to iSuppli. Read more |
|
|
Solar cell maker Motech dismisses rumors of defaulted payments by China clients Nov 13, 12:11 Motech Industries, the largest Taiwan maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, has seen its stock price drop for five consecutive business days, having plunged 30.23% as of Wednesday since November 5. Market sources have indicated that the drop has been due to rumors that Motech's clients in China have decreased orders, some of them have defaulted on payments, and therefore Motech's revenue in the near future is likely to drop by 40%. Read more |
|
|
Spot market price of 6-inch solar-grade wafers fall to US$9 Nov 12, 10:28 The price level of a 6-inch solar-grade silicon wafer in the spot market stands at US$9 currently, dropping by 10-14.3% from US$10-10.5 quoted in October 2008, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Polysilicon spot prices drop sharply on weakened demand from solar cell makers Nov 12, 01:00 Spot prices for polysilicon have dropped sharply, as demand from solar cell makers has weakened due to the onslaught of the global financial crisis and Spain's cut in feed-in tariffs for renewable energy, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
Motech and E-Ton see revenues growth disrupted in October due to firm pricing policy Nov 11, 14:00 Motech Industries and E-Ton Solar Tech, two major Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers, witnessed a slip in revenues for October 2008 mainly because they turned away low-price orders, according to the two companies. Read more |
|
|
Thin-film solar module makers in Taiwan and China face difficulty reaching economies of scale Nov 10, 12:16 Taiwan and China-based thin-film module makers are enjoying a steady stream of potential orders and stable prices, but the tasks of technologically attaining a sufficient economy of scale in production and raising enough funds to expand production capacity are presenting barriers, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
LG changes mind, will not enter solar module joint venture in Germany with Conergy Nov 7, 17:20 Due to the worldwide financial crisis and changes in strategic direction, the Korean company LG Electronics (LG) has informed Hamburg-based Conergy AG (Conergy) that it currently does not wish to proceed with the acquisition of a majority stake in Conergy's solar module production in Frankfurt (Oder) through a joint venture. LG will however continue to review other options for cooperation with Conergy, a leading global downstream player. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan wafer makers SAS and Wafer Works hit record revenues in October Nov 6, 16:03 Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Wafer Works, two Taiwan-based producers of semiconductor-grade and solar-grade crystalline silicon wafers, have both reported record high revenues for October. Read more |
|
|
Polysilicon shifting form semiconductor to solar use, say Taiwan makers Nov 4, 12:17 Leading suppliers of polycrystalline silicon material (poly-Si) around the world, viewing that demand from the solar energy industry will keep growing in 2009 while that from semiconductor industry will decrease, may allocate increased portions of their output for solar players in 2009, according to makers of solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
MJC probe 3Q sales hit NT$1.5 million Oct 30, 15:46 Probe card maker MJC Probe (MPI) had revenues of NT$1.5 billion (US$45.8 million) and the pre-tax earnings of NT$221.4 million in the third quarter. However, the company's gross margins were 40.4%, representing an on-year drop of 5.14 percentage points due to a lower utilization rate and increased material costs. Pre-tax and after-tax EPS were NT$3.13 and NT$2.80, respectively. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan solar wafer maker Danen obtains orders from German solar cell maker Oct 30, 11:39 Danen Technology, a Taiwan-based producer of solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers founded in November 2007, has obtained orders from a large maker of solar cells in Germany, with shipments beginning recently, according to company president James Fang. Read more |
|
|
Contract price of solar cells subject to possible price cuts for 2009 Oct 29, 12:07 While contract supply prices of solar cells for 2009 currently stand at US$2.8-3.1 per watt, a few makers of solar cells in Taiwan and China have offered lower quotes in negotiating 2009 supply contracts in an attempt to win contracts and thus obtain advance payment (usually 5% of the contract value), according to industry sources in Taiwan. Consequently, Taiwan-based makers of PV (photovoltaic) modules that are already signing supply contracts plan to ask suppliers of solar cells to lower contract prices, the sources pointed out. Read more |
|
|
Tynsolar turns conservative about 2009 business outlook Oct 29, 01:10 Taiwan PV (photovoltaic) module maker Tynsolar Corporation was originally optimistic about its 2009 business potential but has turned conservative due to the negative impact of the overwhelming financial troubles worldwide, according to president Marco Hu speaking at an institutional investors conference on October 28. Read more |
|
|
Wafer Works signs 8-year supply deal for silicon Oct 28, 10:44 Wafer Works, a Taiwan-based producer of semiconductor-grade and solar-grade silicon wafers, on October 27 announced it has signed an 8-year contract with an international silicon material supplier for the period from January 2010 to December 2017. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan solar energy makers differ on 2009 business outlook Oct 27, 12:23 Among Taiwan-based makers of solar energy products including wafers, cells and modules, two extreme opinions concerning business outlook in 2009 have emerged, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
E-Ton's three-quarter net profits higher than its capital Oct 27, 11:21 E-Ton Solar Tech has reported that net profit for January-September 2008 reached of NT$1.193 billion (US$35.6 million), more than the company's current paid-in capital of NT$1.010 billion by 18.1%. Read more |
|
|
Chroma Ate sees net profits decline 13% sequentially in 3Q Oct 24, 15:00 Testing equipment vendor Chroma Ate saw its after-tax profits decline 13% sequentially to NT$335 million (US$10 million) in the third quarter of 2008 as clients, especially those in the LCD and IC sectors, cut their capital expenditure (capex) budgets amid current economic downturn, according to the company. Read more |
|
|
Gintech three-quarter earnings beat expectations Oct 24, 14:14 Gintech Energy recently reported a pre-tax profit of NT$1.90 billion (US$59.4 million) for January-September 2008, 43.7% higher than the silicon solar cell maker's forecast of NT$1.322 billion. Read more |
|
|
AUO to cut capex to NT$100 billion Oct 24, 01:15 AU Optronics (AUO) is to reduce capex in 2008 from NT$130-140 billion (US$3.88-4.18 billion) to NT$100 billion. Second phase expansion of the company's second 7.5G line will be delayed until 2010, according to company president LJ Chen. Read more |
|
|
Solar spot market prices fall Oct 23, 15:37 International spot market prices for polycrystalline silicon material, wafers and solar cells have dropped by 4-13% mainly because of the expiration of Spain's solar incentive bill (Royal Decree 661/2007) at the end of September 2008 and the negative impact of the global financial crisis, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Solar energy market to grow at a very aggressive rate: Q&A with Gilad Almogy, senior vice president, Applied Materials Oct 23, 01:10 Despite the rapid decline of oil prices and a slowdown in the semiconductor and FPD (flat-panel display) industries recently, global investment in solar energy has continued to build – a trend that has helped bring in a backlog of orders for thin-film solar products at Applied Materials. Digitimes recently had an opportunity to talk with Gilad Almogy, senior vice president and general manager of display and thin-film solar business group at Applied Materials, on the prospects of the global photovoltaic market. Read more |
|
|
Arima Computer changes its name Stockwatch - Oct 22, 16:13 Arima Computer has announced it will change its name to Arima Photovoltaic and Optical, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Read more |
|
|
Silicon wafer makers SAS and Wafer Works relying more on solar sector than semiconductor sector Oct 22, 12:13 Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Wafer Works, two Taiwan-based producers of semiconductor-grade and solar-grade silicon wafers, have shifted business focus from semiconductors to solar cells because business outlook is unclear for the former segment but appears to be optimistic for the latter, according to the two companies at an institutional investor conference on October 21. Read more |
|
|
LG Electronics to convert PDP facility into two solar cell production lines Oct 22, 11:21 LG Electronics (LG) decided at its board of directors meeting held on October 20 to convert its A1 plasma panel-manufacturing line in Gumi, Korea, into solar cell production lines. Read more |
|
|
Motech and E-Ton optimistic about 2009 solar business Oct 22, 01:15 Crystalline silicon solar cell makers Motech Industries and E-Ton Solar Tech are optimistic regarding their business operations in 2009. Motech plans to expand its total annual production capacity to 800MWp while E-Ton has already secured total orders of 400MWp, according to the two companies. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan-based Green Energy Technology invests in China maker of solar silicon wafers Oct 21, 01:15 Green Energy Technology (GET), a Taiwan-based producer of solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers, on October 20 announced its investment of US$5.05 million for a 40% stake in a new joint-venture provider of slicing solar-grade polycrystalline silicon ingots into wafers in northern China, according to GET. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan thin-film solar cell maker CompSolar to focus on flexible GaAs HCPVs Oct 20, 15:28 Compound Solar Technology (CompSolar), the first Taiwan-based producer of glass-based high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) thin-film solar cells made from Gallium arsenide (GaAs), has been developing flexible GaAs HCPVs based on various kinds of flexible substrates which will form the basis for the company's business operation in 2009, according to company president Jeffery Lin. Read more |
|
|
Some Taiwan solar module makers forced to buy high-price solar cells from spot market Oct 20, 11:40 Taiwan-based solar module makers in general enjoyed large global demand in the third quarter of 2008 mainly due to the expiration of Spain's solar energy incentive bill (Royal Decree 661/2007) at the end of September 2008. But some where forced to procure expensive solar cells from the spot market to meet contract supply volumes, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
Top Green Energy Technologies signs solar equipment deal with GT Solar Oct 17, 12:43 GT Solar International has announced that its subsidiary, GT Solar has signed its first contract with Top Green Energy Technologies, a Taiwan-based producer of solar cells. The agreement, valued at US$46.8 million, is GT Solar's most comprehensive polysilicon production equipment and services agreement to-date, and the company's first sale of its products to a customer based in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
Delta Electronics becomes first Taiwan maker of 100kW PV inverter Oct 16, 15:12 Delta Electronics has begun to offer its 100kW modular photovoltaic (PV) inverter, CI 100 central inverter, for use in large solar-cell power-generating systems including power plants, becoming the first Taiwan-based producer of 100kW PV inverters, according to industry watchers. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan maker Neo Solar Power lands third supply contract from Scheuten Oct 16, 11:45 Neo Solar Power (NSP), a Taiwan-based maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, on October 15 announced its has signed a third contract for 5-year supply of solar cells with Scheuten Solar Holding BV, a Netherlands-based provider of solar modules and PV (photovoltaic) systems. Read more |
|
|
Everphoton demonstrates first mobile solar power supply Oct 15, 11:39 Taiwan-based high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) company Everphoton last week demonstrated what it claims to be the first mobile solar power supply (MSPS-1) during the 2008 Taiwan International photovoltaic Forum & Exhibition. Read more |
|
|
Ritek inks second strategic alliance with Scheuten to make CIGS thin-film solar modules Oct 15, 01:15 Ritek has announced a strategic alliance with Netherlands-based Scheuten Solar Holding BV to set up a joint venture to make CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) thin-film solar modules in Taiwan. The first production line under the venture is scheduled to come into operation at the end of 2008 with an annual capacity of 30MWp. Read more |
|
|
Ritek shipping solar modules, says paper Newswatch - Oct 14, 14:42 Blank optical disc maker Ritek has recently started shipping crystalline silicon solar modules, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN). Read more |
|
|
Taiwan solar cell maker Neo Solar still in growth stage Oct 14, 11:29 Neo Solar Power (NSP), a maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, inidcated that its third quarter revenues totaled NT$3.27 billion, up 31.7% on quarter. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan solar cell maker DelSolar to expand capacity to seven times current levels Oct 9, 01:05 Taiwan-based solar cell maker DelSolar held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its new factory in northern Taiwan on October 8. Production capacity at the factory is planned to gradually increase to 720MWp in 2012, bringing DelSolar's total capacity to 840MWp, seven times the company's existing level of 120MWp, according to the company. Read more |
|
|
Green Energy Technology unveils thin-film solar modules Oct 8, 14:15 Taiwan solar wafer maker Green Energy Technology (GET) has extended its production to a-Si thin-film solar modules and is showcasing an 8.5G 2.6×2.2m thin-film solar module and two small-size see-through thin-film solar modules at the 2008 Taiwan International Photovoltaic Forum and Exhibition. Read more |
|
|
|
© DIGITIMES Inc. All rights reserved.
Please do not republish, publicly broadcast or publicly transmit content from this website without written permission from DIGITIMES Inc. Please contact us if you have any questions. |
|
